Statement on Air Interdiction Program
Statement by the Press Secretary

We are approaching the anniversary of a terrible tragedy, the
accidental shootdown of a U.S. missionary plane in Peru on April 20,
2001. The United States Government and the Government of Peru deeply
regret this tragic event and the resulting deaths of Veronica and
Charity Bowers and injuries to Jim and Cory Bowers, and their pilot,
Kevin Donaldson.

We offer our sincere condolences to the victims and their
families. Neither government believes that Mr. Donaldson was
responsible for this incident. It should never have
happened, and efforts are underway to prevent such tragedies in the
future.

The air interdiction program has been suspended since this incident
occurred, and no decision has been made on whether or how to resume
it. The U.S. Government is currently reviewing the findings and
recommendations of the joint U.S.-Peruvian accident investigation
report and a separate investigation of the overall air interdiction
program. As we consider whether to resume the air
interdiction program, we will carefully examine the recommendations of
these reports. We will also consider the concerns expressed
by the U.S. Congress and the public, to ensure that any renewed program
focuses on enhanced safety procedures.